circus insane doc insane

Interview by: Lynn Wyeth

Date: 16 August 2009

Venue: Bloodstock Open Air, Derby, UK

Photos by: Mary Evans

It’s great for all the family! (laughs) No, I’m the world’s most extreme performer. There’s no other circus that’s been banned from TV, theatres, cities and even countries!

Countries?!

Yeah, both Barcelona and Cyprus won’t let me perform. I did a spot in the busking area in Barcelona, and the police came along. I said, 'Am I supposed to have a licence?', they were like, 'No, but you no perform!' It’s all real, no illusions, no fake blood. I always go one step further.

So what do you do as part of the act then?

I do a suffocation act. I have darts thrown at my back, front and in my face. I lay on a bed of nails. I have a power drill in my face. I put my face in broken glass, usually broken live on stage, and get someone from the audience to stand on my head face down in the glass. I fire heavy-duty staples into my head. I have a chainsaw in my face that makes a cross in an apple.

So how did you get into doing that sort of thing?

I’ve been a performer for twenty one years. First I was an actor and a dancer. Fifteen years ago I was working with a guy who was lying on a bed of nails and I thought ‘I want to do that.’ The guy said it takes years to condition your body, but I thought poppycock! He went out so I lay down on the nails and got someone to stand on me. He came back in and told me off. Then I saw some fire-eating. Boss said you can’t do this! He went out and I got some kerosene and blew my first flame. He caught me and I thought I’d be sacked, but he asked me if I’d work the show on Saturday! Since then it’s got crazier and crazier!

What do your friends and family think?

My mum won’t watch it! Friends and family love it, except my mum. She loves my celebrity, but not what I do!

So do you think your shows are suited to music festivals such as Bloodstock, are you playing more shows like this?

Recently it’s been going towards heavy metal, yeah. Previously it’s been more theatre and some festivals. We did the Greystone Arts Festival in Co. Wicklow a couple of years ago. This year we’re touring America and Australia. It’s not that they don’t want to see it here, but there are not so many opportunities.

So have you ever had any accidents on stage?

Oh yeah! I had five and a half stitches in my eye from glass. I have a collection of scarification from the bed of nails and the samurai sword. I’ve been engulfed in flames. In 1995 I was sandwiched between the bed of nails and two slabs, and as someone smashed it with a sledgehammer I breathed fire. But the fire changed direction and engulfed me, I had third degree burns. I grabbed the mic and said, 'That bloody hurt!'. I had blisters and I had to have gloves on covering the burns but I finished the act. I could be the human fireball! No-one’s booked it yet though. I’m saving it for Vegas because the insurance is massive!

So how far will you take all this?

Probably my death! (laughs)

Is there anything you wouldn’t do?

Sleep with Madonna!

Can you see a time when this sort of performance becomes more mainstream and not seen as extreme? Think you’ll make Saturday night BBC?

No never for the BBC! They won’t book us, we’re too extreme. Maybe for something like Film Fright Night, if it worked out, well, maybe a star will rise in a different way and grow. Its popularity is growing though. Australia should be successful.

Obviously we’re at Bloodstock today. Which bands have you seen that you thought were great?

Sodom!! And Sodom said they wanted to see my show which was great. Wolf were amazing. Carcass were good. Sodom and Kreator are probably my favourites so far.

So what tattoo are you having and why?

Naked woman. I like naked women!

I guess tattooing is just a tickle to you compared with what you normally do isn’t it?

It’s agony! (laughs) Only joking, but I’ve been looking forward to it, been psyched. I love the feeling of being tattooed.

Have many people fainted at your shows?

More than I can keep count of! It’s always a good show when someone passes out; I know then I’m doing something right!

Ok, to finish with, where can people see you next? Where are you touring?

I'm (Doc Insane) contracted to a traditional circus until October and have to be quite tame. After that America and Australia. I hope to get some UK dates too, we’re in talks but nothing is confirmed yet.

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